Explore the rich archaeological past of ancient Sicily, uncovering the ancient Iron Age, Greek, Roman, and Medieval remains beneath modern Salemi, Sicily. Live and excavate in a city which is over 2500 years old while learning to excavate stratigraphically and discovering artifacts from the past. Salemi was first inhabited by the indigenous Iron Age Elymi of western Sicily 2500 years ago. Since then, Salemi has been inhabited continuously through the Greek contact, Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, Norman, Swabian, Medieval, Renaissance, and modern periods. Excavations in the modern city of Salemi commenced in 2001, discovering an Elymian house. Since then, NIU's excavations have uncovered Greek contact period houses, Roman cisterns, Medieval buildings and cisterns, Renaissance grain silo's, and much more.

Students will learn hands-on field excavation techniques, archaeological mapping, artifact processing, and pottery illustration. Excavation schedules include full days Monday through Friday and half days on Saturdays. Lectures on the history and archaeology of Salemi and western Sicily will be complemented by weekend trips to nearby archaeological sites including Mokarta, Segesta, Erice (ancient Eryx), Marsala, and Selinunte (ancient Selinus).

Student participation is organized by Northern Illinois University's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Study Abroad Office. Contact Professor Michael Kolb, PhD, Department of Anthropology, Northern Illinois University; aloha@niu.edu; tel. (815)753-7037 for more information. This program is open to both undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at any university or college. This six-credit course covers all field school activities, airfare to Sicily not included.

Participants will stay in the project fieldhouse located in Salemi, Sicily with double or triple occupancy dormitory-style rooms. Seventeen meals a week will be provided. Dinners during the week are cooked by a local chef. Transportation from/to the Palermo airport is included as well as all daily transportation to/from the site and all scheduled weekend excursions.

Academic Credit

Name of institution offering credit:

Northern Illinois University

Number of credits offered
Six credits of graduate/undergraduate credit.

Tuition:

$3900.00 (Airfare is not included. Financial aid and loans available to qualified applicants)